2009-2010 University Catalog 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2009-2010 University Catalog archived

The College


 

thecollege.wlu.edu

The College Compass

(approved by College faculty members in May 2004, reaffirmed in October 2005)

The College nurtures a culture of learning at Washington and Lee by providing an education steered by the liberal arts tradition. Exceptionally dedicated faculty members guide undergraduates through a wide range of scholarly methodologies and their practical applications. Students  learn to examine knowledge from a variety of perspectives, while developing deep expertise in their chosen field(s) of study.

College teachers challenge students to hone their critical thinking skills and approach questions creatively. Undergraduates and faculty collaborate to generate a fertile environment for scholarship and research, focusing not only on the assimilation of information, but also on the clear communication of knowledge to members of a global society. Our joint endeavors inspire students to further discoveries beyond the classroom and across disciplinary boundaries.

In striving to meet the educational needs of our increasingly diverse student body, we emphasize sensitivity to different modes of learning and living, as well as respect for other cultures.

The hallmarks of a person educated in the College include:

  • a clear sense of personal responsibility,
     
  • a talent for independent thinking, the capacity to evaluate information critically and to convey it eloquently, competence in many methods of approaching and solving problems,
     
  • a lively curiosity about and mature respect for varied cultures and intellectual perspectives, and
     
  • a lifelong engagement with the values of honor and civility.

Purposes

The purposes of the College are several: to provide the essentials of a liberal education to all undergraduates before they separate into their fields of specialization; to offer courses and majors leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science; to encourage  independent work and scholarly investigation; and to present courses preliminary to professional training in such fields as engineering, journalism, law and health.

All new undergraduates are members of the College. Their work will be taken in those studies which, in the opinion of the faculty, provide the fundamentals of a liberal arts education. The prescriptions of this first year make possible an intelligent freedom in later years of study and a wise choice of a major field. All first-years will consult with their faculty advisers in the selection of their courses for their sophomore year.

The aim of the work of the first two years is the achievement of breadth; the work of the junior and senior years is directed toward the mastery of a particular study. Students who expect to receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts will do their major work in the liberal arts and humanities, the social sciences, or the natural sciences; students who expect to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science will take specialized work in the natural sciences.

Departments

The Departments of Art and Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, East Asian Languages and Literatures, English, Geology, German and Russian, History, Journalism and Mass Communications, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics and Engineering, Psychology, Religion, Romance Languages, Sociology and Anthropology, and Theater comprise the College. The Office of Teacher Education is also included in the College.

Degrees and Majors Offered

The College offers the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science degree, and the Bachelor of Science degree with Special Attainments in Chemistry. Candidates for a degree with a major listed below will find departmental requirements outlined under those departments in the “Courses of Study” section.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The College offers the following majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree:

Art History 
Biology 
Chemistry 
Classics 
Computer Science 
East Asian Languages and Literatures 
English 
Environmental Studies 
French 
Geology 
German Language 
German Literature 
History 
Independent Work 
Journalism and Mass Communications 
Mathematics 
Medieval and Renaissance Studies 
Music 
Philosophy 
Psychology 
Religion 
Romance Languages major, with a French emphasis 
Romance Languages major, with a Spanish emphasis 
Russian Area Studies 
Sociology and Anthropology 
Spanish 
Studio Art 
Theater 

Bachelor of Science Degree

The College offers the following majors leading to the Bachelor of Science degree:

Biology 
Biochemistry 
Chemistry 
Chemistry-Engineering 
Computer Science 
Geology 
Independent Work 
Mathematics 
Neuroscience 
Physics 
Physics-Engineering 
Psychology 

Bachelor of Science with Special Attainments in Chemistry Degree

The College offers the following major leading to the Bachelor of Science with Special Attainments in Chemistry degree:

Chemistry 

Advice For First-Year Students

Entering students are expected to select courses which will assist them to begin satisfying Foundation and Distribution Requirements (FDRs) and enable them to explore possibilities for a major or to continue study in a field of special interest. To assist in the selection of courses, new students are assigned initial faculty advisers with whom they confer during the first week of the academic year and who remain available for consultation until a major is chosen. In certain fields, placement tests will be offered on an optional basis to entering first-years, and their results, along with any advanced placement reports, will be used in determining the level of work which should be pursued.

In choosing courses, first-year students should consider that the skills in mathematics and language study they have acquired may deteriorate if they do not continue work in them immediately. They should also be sure to take the courses prerequisite to later work they desire. If  they are interested in working for the degree of Bachelor of Science or for the Bachelor of Arts with a major in science, including premedical work, they should register for mathematics and the appropriate introductory science sequence in their initial year. In most circumstances, students should not take two laboratory sciences simultaneously during the first year. All students, in planning their first year, should examine the requirements for any major of potential interest listed under “Courses of Study.”

Students considering graduate work should consult their advisers with regard to possible language and mathematics requirements for advanced degrees.

Administration

^Top
   
Kenneth Patrick Ruscio, Ph.D.  
President of the University  
   
June R. Aprille, Ph.D.  
Provost  
   
Howard N. (Hank) Dobin, Ph.D.  
Dean of the College  
   
Janet Ikeda, Ph.D.  
Associate Dean of the College  
   
Elizabeth Pryor Knapp, Ph.D.  
Associate Dean of the College  

 

Faculty

 
   
Michael A. Pleva, Ph.D. Matthew F. Tuchler, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry Associate Professor of Chemistry
   
Irwin Taylor Sanders II, Ph.D. Christopher D. Connors, Ph.D.
Professor of History Associate Professor of Geology
   
Edwin David Craun, Ph.D. Sascha L. Goluboff, Ph.D.
Henry S. Fox Jr., Professor of English Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology
   
William Lad Sessions, Ph.D. David W. Sukow, Ph.D.
Jo M. and James M. Ballengee 250th Anniversary Professor of Philosophy Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering
   
Halford Ross Ryan, Ph.D. Laura Speirs Turner, M.L.S.
Professor of English and Speech Associate Professor
   
Harry Thomas Williams, Ph.D. Owen M. Collins, M.F.A.
Edwin A. Morris Professor of Physics Associate Professor of Theater
   
Pamela Hemenway Simpson, Ph.D. Hongchu Fu, Ph.D.
Ernest Williams II Professor of Art History Associate Professor of East Asian Languages
   
John Holt Merchant Jr., Ph.D. Karla K. Murdock, Ph.D.
Professor of History Associate Professor of Psychology
   
Gordon Philip Spice, Ph.D. David Detwiler, B.A.
Professor of Music Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Ronald Lane Reese, Ph.D. James Mahon, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics Associate Professor of Philosophy
   
Thomas P. Whaley, Ph.D. David M. Marsh, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science Associate Professor of Biology
   
David Robert Novack, Ph.D. Bryan L. Snyder, B.S.
Professor of Sociology Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Harlan Ray Beckley, Ph.D. Julie A. Woodzicka, Ph.D.
Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion Associate Professor of Psychology
   
Robert Joseph de Maria, M.S. Eugene M. McCabe, M.A.
Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
John Jay Wielgus, Ph.D. E. William Hamilton III, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology Associate Professor of Biology
   
Roger A. Crockett, Ph.D. Jeffrey L. Kosky, Ph.D.
Professor of German Associate Professor of Religion
   
Laurent Boetsch Jr., D.M.L. Deborah Miranda, Ph.D.
Professor of Romance Languages Associate Professor of English
   
Larry M. Stene, M.F.A. Miriam C. Carlisle, Ph.D.
Professor of Art Associate Professor of Classics
   
Nancy Adele Margand, Ph.D. Neil Cunningham, M.S.
Professor of Psychology Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Wayne M. Dymàček, Ph.D. Wendy C. Orrison, B.A.
Professor of Mathematics Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Michael J. Evans, Ph.D. Kateri Gardner, M.S.
Rupert and Lillian Radford Professor of Mathematics Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Lawrence E. Hurd, Ph.D. Mohamed Kamara, Ph.D.
John T. Herwick, M.D. Professor of Biology Associate Professor of Romance Languages
   
Krzysztof Jasiewicz, Ph.D. Theresa Braunschneider, Ph.D.
William P. Ames Jr. Professor of Sociology Associate Professor of English
   
Timothy Gaylard, Ph.D. Nathan D. Hoey, B.S.
Professor of Music Associate Professor of Physical Education
   
Richard G. Marks, Ph.D. Simon D. Levy, Ph.D.
Professor of Religion Associate Professor of Computer Science
   
James Perrin Warren, Ph.D. Wythe L. Whiting IV, Ph.D.
S. Blount Mason Jr. Professor of English Associate Professor of Psychology
   
Kenneth A. Lambert, Ph.D. David Bello, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science Associate Professor of History
   
Kenneth E. Van Ness, Ph.D. Paul A. Gregory, Ph.D.
Robert Lee Telford Professor of Physics and Engineering Associate Professor of Philosophy
   
Paul S. Bourdon, Ph.D. Kyle Felker, M.L.I.S.
Cincinnati Professor of Mathematics Associate Professor
   
Tyler S. Lorig, Ph.D. Lenna Ojure, Ph.D.
Ruth Parmly Professor of Psychology Associate Professor of Education
   
Gwyn E. Campbell, Ph.D. John Brodie, D.M.A.
Professor of Romance Languages Visiting Associate Professor of Music
   
George P. Carras, D.Phil. Adedayo O. L. Abah, M.S.
Professor of Classical Studies and Senior Research Fellow in Religion Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications
   
Alexandra R. Brown, Ph.D. Alison Bell, Ph.D.
Jessie Ball duPont Professor of Religion Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
   
Suzanne P. Keen, Ph.D. Douglas O. Cumming, Ph.D.
Thomas H. Broadus Jr. Professor of English Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications
   
Pamela K. Luecke, M.A., M.B.A. Genelle C. Gertz, Ph.D.
Donald W. Reynolds Professor of Business Journalism Assistant Professor of English
   
Cecile West-Settle, Ph.D. Lisa Greer, Ph.D.
Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor of Geology
   
Brian E. Richardson, Ph.D. Kristina Hoey, B.S.
Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Domnica V. Radulescu, Ph.D. Adam B. Hutchinson, M.S.
Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Edward Wasserman, Ph.D. Mandy L. King, B.S.
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Professor of Journalism Ethics Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
David Jorgensen Harbor, Ph.D. Christopher E. Schall, M.A.
Professor of Geology Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Helen I’Anson, Ph.D. Joel E. Shinofield, B.A.
Professor of Biology Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Kevin Crotty, J.D., Ph.D. Leslie Cintron, Ph.D.
Professor of Classics Assistant Professor of Sociology
   
Merrily E. Taylor, M.S.L.S., M.A. Kimberly Jew, Ph.D.
Professor Assistant Professor of Theater
   
Howard N. Dobin, Ph.D. Joel Kuehner, Ph.D.
Professor of English Assistant Professor of Physics
   
William Patch, Ph.D. Irina Mazilu, Ph.D.
William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of History Assistant Professor of Physics
   
Lesley M. Wheeler, Ph.D. Jacob A. Siehler, Ph.D.
Professor of English Assistant Professor of Mathematics
   
Terry Vosbein, D.M.A. Megan Fulcher, Ph.D.
Professor of Music Assistant Professor of Psychology
   
Kathleen Olson-Janjic, M.F.A. N. Melina Bell, Ph.D.
Professor of Fine Arts Assistant Professor of Philosophy
   
Janine M. Hathorn, M.A. Rebecca R. Benefiel, Ph.D.
Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Classics
   
Barry H. Kolman, D.A. Katherine D. Crowley, Ph.D.
Professor of Music Assistant Professor of Mathematics
   
Roberta H. Senechal, Ph.D. Daniel J. Kramer, Ph.D.
Professor of History Assistant Professor of German
   
Maryanne C. Simurda, Ph.D. Holly C. Pickett, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology Assistant Professor of English
   
Jeffrey C. Barnett, Ph.D. Mary M. Abdoney, M.A.
Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor
   
George R. Bent, Ph.D. Monica B. Botta, Ph.D.
Professor of Art Assistant Professor of Romance Languages
   
Marcia B. France, Ph.D. Christa K. Bowden, M.F.A.
Professor of Chemistry Assistant Professor of Art
   
Steven G. Desjardins, Ph.D. Mark Carey, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry Assistant Professor of History
   
Lisa T. Alty, Ph.D. Jonathan R. Eastwood, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry Assistant Professor of Sociology
   
Erich S. Uffelman, Ph.D. Frederick J. LaRiviere, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry Assistant Professor of Chemistry
   
Marc C. Conner, Ph.D. Molly Michelmore, Ph.D.
Professor of English Assistant Professor of History
   
Ellen C. Mayock, Ph.D. Jeffrey M. Rahl, Ph.D.
Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor of Geology
   
Matthew Bailey, Ph.D. Shawn Paul Evans, M.F.A.
Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor of Theater
   
Toni Locy Carrie Finch, Ph.D.
Reynolds Professor of Legal Reporting Assistant Professor of Mathematics
   
Frank A. Settle Jr., Ph.D. Patrick Hatcher, M.A.
Visiting Professor of Chemistry Assistant Professor of Religion
   
Paul Humke, Ph.D. Scott Johnson, Ph.D.
Visiting Professor of Mathematics Assistant Professor of Classics
   
Bruce Boller, Ph.D. Debra Prager, Ph.D.
Visiting Professor of Physics Assistant Professor of German
   
Gary Ray Franke, M.S. Sara Sprenkle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Computer Science
   
Joseph Martinez, Dip. R.A.D.A. Brooke Diamond, M.S.
Associate Professor of Theater Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Richard F. Grefe, M.L.S. David Hanna, B.A.
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
John A. Lambeth, Ph.D. Shana Levine, J.D.
Associate Professor of Romance Languages Assistant Professor of PhysicalEducation
   
David A. Badertscher, M.L.S. Eric Ishida, B.P.E.
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Rolf G. Piranian, B.A. Jason Archbell, B.A.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Richard M. Bidlack, Ph.D. Scott Abell, M.A.
Associate Professor of History Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Joan H. O’Mara, Ph.D. Josh Williamson, M.S.
Associate Professor of Art History Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
Ken’ichi Ujie, M.A. Matthew Stavish, B.A.
Associate Professor of East Asian Languages Assistant Professor of Physical Education
   
John A. Tucker, M.S. Nathaniel Goldberg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Philosophy
   
Frank S. Miriello, B.S. Leslie Gordon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Romance Languages
   
Yolanda D. Merrill, M.L.S. Sarah Horowitz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of History
   
M. Jeffries Stickley, M.Ed. Robert Humston, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Biology
   
Kary D. Smout, Ph.D. Christian Jennings, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English Assistant Professor of History
   
C. Vaughan Stanley, M.A., M.A. Curtis Jirsa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of English
   
J. Gavin Colliton, M.Ed. Andrea Lepage, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Education Assistant Professor of Art
   
Edward Adams, Ph.D. Harvey Markowitz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English Assistant Professor of Anthropology
   
Gregory J. Cooper, Ph.D. Dan Mazilu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Ethics Assistant Professor of Physics
   
Anna Brodsky, Ph.D. Indira Somani, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Russian Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications
   
John W. Tombarge, M.L.S. Florentine Verhage, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Assistant Professor of Philosophy
   
Theodore C. DeLaney, Ph.D. Fiona Watson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History Assistant Professor of Biology
   
Claudette G. Artwick, Ph.D. Haley Sigler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications Assistant Professor of Education
   
Alan McRae, Ph.D. Greta McCaughrin, M.A.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Instructor in Russian
   
Françoise Frégnac-Clave, Ph.D. Elizabeth Cumming, M.S.
Associate Professor of Romance Languages Instructor in Physics and Engineering and Laboratory Supervisor
   
Janet Ikeda, Ph.D. Mary Jo Kricorian, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of East Asian Languages Instructor of Biology and Laboratory Supervisor
   
David S. Peterson, Ph.D. Andrea Abry, B.A.
Associate Professor of History Instructor of Chemistry and Supervisor of Laboratories
   
Gregory P. Dresden, Ph.D. Sean Devlin, M.A.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Staff Archeologist and Instructor, Sociology and Anthropology
   
Elizabeth P. Knapp, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Geology  
   
Timothy Lubin, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Religion  
   
Robert E. Stewart, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Psychology  
   
Paul R. Cabe, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Biology  
   
Nathan S. Feldman, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Mathematics  
   
Brendan J. Weickert, Ph.D.  
Associate Professor of Mathematics